How to Support Your Young Athlete Without the Pressure to Be a Superstar with Jason Cole

This week on Here's What We Know, we’re thrilled to have Jason Cole with us, author of Shut Up, Your Kid is Not That Great. Jason’s book digs into the realities of parenting young athletes and managing those sometimes sky-high expectations. As a sports writer and a dad, Jason brings unique insights and anecdotes on raising kids to follow their dreams—without all the unnecessary pressure.

In This Episode:

• Jason shares stories about the unique challenges and pressures faced by children of famous athletes.
• Discover the importance of supporting kids’ dreams quietly, letting them shine without feeling the weight of the world’s expectations.
• Explore what it’s like for children of sports legends who may not reach the same level of success as their parents—and why that’s perfectly okay.
  • Hear examples like Jack Nicklaus' sons, who carved their own paths instead of following directly in their dad’s footsteps.
  • Listen to the story of John Elway’s father, who encouraged his son to choose between football and baseball with no pressure—just options and unwavering support.
• Get a look behind the scenes at the sacrifices and pressures pro athletes endure, reminding us that every level of success brings its own unique struggles, where preparation matters as much as talent.
• Uncover the value of allowing kids to choose their own paths, guiding them gently along the way, and cheering them on—wherever their journeys may lead.

This episode is sponsored by:
Reed Animal Hospital
Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)


Bio:
Jason Cole has covered or written about pro football since 1992 and has been a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2013. He has worked for publications such as Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, The Miami Herald, and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Cole has authored Elway: a Relentless Life and co-authored six books, including Giant with Plaxico Burress, Heart for the Game with Simon Keith, and Ocho Cinco with Chad Johnson. Prior to covering the NFL, Cole covered the NBA, Major League Baseball, and high school sports in the San Francisco Bay Area. Cole teaches sports writing at the University of Florida and is the father of two Eagle Scouts. He is a graduate of Stanford University, which he attended at the same time as Elway.

X: https://x.com/jasoncole62
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-cole-1330266/

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